Two Eyes

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1 (KJV)

How can you tell if you have real faith, even if it is small? Sibbes gives some rules, and they are very wise for anyone who tends to be hard on themselves.

First, he says, you need two eyes:

“We must have two eyes, one to see imperfections in ourselves and others; the other to see what is good.”

Some people only ever look at what is wrong with them. Sibbes says they “delight to be looking on the dark side of the cloud only.” If that is how you look at yourself, you will never feel any comfort. You need to see both your faults and what God has done in you.

Second, don’t judge yourself only by how you feel at the moment. When you are tempted or low, all you will see is smoke. But Sibbes says: “Fire may be raked up in the ashes, though not seen; life in the winter is hid in the root.” A tree in winter looks dead, but the life is there, underground, waiting for spring.

Third, watch out for false reasoning. Just because your faith doesn’t blaze like someone else’s doesn’t mean you have no faith at all. Sibbes says thinking that way is actually breaking a commandment: you are bearing false witness against yourself. He points to the prodigal son, who said he was not worthy to be called a son, but never said he was not a son.

Some people, he says, are so good at accusing themselves that it is as if they had been hired by Satan, the accuser, to do his job for him.

Fourth, God is looking for real faith, not a certain amount of it:

“A spark of fire is fire as well as the whole element.”

And then this beautiful line: “A weak hand may receive a rich jewel.” You don’t need a strong grip to receive a gift. The jewel is Christ and everything he gives. A shaky hand holds it just as truly as a steady one.

If you tend to beat yourself up all the time, or feel worthless most days, Sibbes would want you to hear God’s kindness. And it is worth talking to a trusted adult about how you are feeling, too. You don’t have to carry it alone.

One thing to do this week: this week, write two lists. On one side, a fault you are aware of. On the other, one thing God has done in you or one sign of his grace in your life. Every time you add to the first list, add to the second too. Use both eyes.